In the Hebrew version the first half of this verse is identical to 3.14, but the second half makes a dramatic shift. In this instance it is not all peoples who are to be ready to kill, but the Jews who are to be ready to protect themselves.

On the word copy see the comment at 3.14. Decree translates the Hebrew dat, the standard term for “law” in the book of Esther (compare Good News Translation; see comment on 1.8).

By proclamation: see the comments on this same Hebrew term in 3.14.

To all peoples is translated as “to the people of every nationality” in New International Version, and “the people of every nation living in the kingdom” in New Century Version. Good News Translation simplifies too much by saying “everyone,” and loses some of the emphasis on the diverse nationalities.

The concept of vengeance (to avenge themselves) is sometimes difficult to translate. The basic meaning is to take retribution for a wrong committed, to repay an evil done to someone. In this instance the Jews have enemies who wish to harm them, and in this verse they are told that they can defend themselves when they are attacked. The translator may say “to pay back,” or there may be an appropriate idiom such as “to return hand to their enemies.”

Enemies: for comment on “enemy” see 3.10.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Noss, Philip A. A Handbook on Esther (The Hebrew Text). (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .